NORTH Wales Police had 107 positive breath tests over the Christmas period as a result of the Wales-wide Anti Drink and Drug Driving campaign.

Throughout the month long period, from December, 1 to January, 1, the police carried out over 18,000 breath tests - a 55-year-old Rhyl man was caught who tallied up a breath test reading of 129 micrograms.

He appeared before Prestatyn Magistrates on December, 23 and was subsequently ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, disqualified from driving for 32 months and ordered to pay costs.

A 44-year-old man from the London area, who had a breath test reading of 124 was charged and bailed to appear before Holyhead Magistrates on January, 16. He has since been further released on bail to appear before Holyhead Magistrates on March, 28.

And a 41-year-old woman from the Leicestershire area who had a breath test reading of 111 has been charged and bailed to appear before Caernarfon Magistrates on January, 22.

All three offenders were over three times the drink driving limit of 35 micrograms.

Throughout the campaign over 460 drivers were caught across Wales out of the 35,255 that were breath tested.

Speaking on behalf of the Welsh forces, Deputy Chief Constable Gareth Pritchard said: “Although warnings were issued throughout the campaign 465 drivers throughout Wales chose to ignore those warnings by risking their own lives and the
lives of others by breaking the law. This is very disappointing.

“It is also astonishing to see that some were almost four times the legal limit. It is clear that these individuals showed a complete disregard for the safety of other road users as well as their own.

“Driving with excess alcohol or under the influence of drugs is not just a criminal offence but also completely unacceptable.

He added: “However, drink driving is not just about Christmas. It ruins lives all year round. Perpetual drink drivers will choose to drink and drive any day of the year so we need support from the public 365 days a year to help us take these people off the roads of Wales.”

If you have information relating to someone you think is driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, please contact North Wales Police on 101 or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always dial 999.